Humidifying apparatus



1937- F. D. POTTER HUMIDIFYING APPARATUS Filed April 9, 1936 Q ON l/ H GN m a J- MI MM QMHHHHHHHHH HHHMHM E m s Ill F I I I I I I I I I I I I I l I I IL I I I I '0' I'l n IIIII M Nw Q 6 9 m M W Z m 3 W &

Patented Aug. 10, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 3 Claims.

My invention relates to humidifying apparatus for use in a building having a heating appliance with a pipe for smoke and products of combustion sufficiently hot to serve for converting water into vapor or steam.

The object of the invention is to provide new and useful, simple, inexpensive, and readily operated means for humidifying the air of a room or rooms of a building.

Fig. 1 of my drawing is an elevational view, partly in section, of a preferred form of apparatus embodying my invention; and

Fig. 2 is a sectional detail View.

Reference character l0 designates a water supply tank supported at a level above the source of heat, as for example supported near the ceiling of a basement containing a heating furnace equipped with a so-called smoke pipe I2 for outlet of smoke and products of combustion and serving as my source of heat for room humidifying purposes.

Tank l0 may conveniently be equipped with a sight tube M to enable the height of water therein to be readily observed.

5 The outlet pipe I6 from tank l0 leads to vessel |8 which is open or at least vented at its top.

5 The supply of water from tank Ill to vessel I8 is automatically regulated by the end of pipe l6 being submerged in the water in vessel 8, so

that water is supplied from tank In to vessel l8 only as the water in vessel I8 is used up.

Vessel l8 has a low-down outlet pipe 20 leading to water heating means located in the smoke pipe I2.

In the form shown, the water heating means is made up of pipe and pipe fittings, and comprises a longitudinal pipe 2| and cross head pipes 22 and 24. The heating means is preferably so arranged that the parts thereof can be removably and replaceably assembled in connection with a single length or section of smoke-pipe, as l2a.

As shown, smoke-pipe section l2a has a pair of slots i211, l2b, in one end, and a pair of slots I20, I20, in its opposite end.

With this arrangement the cross-pipe member 22 can be assembled with the longitudinal member 2| and these inserted in the smoke-pipe section l2a, with the cross member 22 received in slots l2b, I22).

The parts of cross head member 24 can then be inserted through slots I2a, I20, and screwed into the T 26 on longitudinal pipe member 2|.

! Such arrangement leaves the cross pipe members 22, 24, projecting through the smoke-pipe |2a, and capped at one end as indicated at 28, and

(Cl. 1Z6350) with the other ends open and likewise projecting through and beyond the smoke-pipe section |2a.

The water supply pipe 20 can be connected as by a'union 3|] with one cross member, as 22, and the other cross member 24 connected, as by 5 union 32, to a pipe, as 34, for supplying steam or water vapor to the room or building having need for air humidification. In the case of a residence with a basement furnace and furnace smoke-pipe, the pipe 34 may pass immediately or with 10 branches to the room or rooms on the floor or floors above. When the smoke-pipe is to be taken down in the summer season, the unions can be opened up and the pipe sections taken apart without interference therewith by the humidifier heat- 15 ing device.

Tank It has a vent near its top provided with vent valve 40. As shown, the water supply pipe 42 is connected to the outlet pipe I6 at a point between outlet Valve 44 and the tank I0, and the 20 water supply pipe 42 is provided with a valve 46.

When the water supply gets low, which with. say, an or gallon storage tank In will be not until after several days use, vent valve 40 is opened, outlet valve 44 closed, and supply valve 25 46 opened, and each of these operations is reversed when the water rises to a level sufficiently high in tank ID. The outlet valve 44 can be used to regulate the degree of humidification by regulating the feed of water to vessel l8, and addi- 30 tional means of regulation may be provided, as, for example, a valve 48 provided in the pipe 20 leading from vessel l8 to the heating device 2|, 22, 24. The smoke-pipe section I201. is preferably so disposed that the parts 2|, 22 and 24 of the heating device are all substantially level, and the pipe I6 is so disposed that the level of water in the vessel I8 is at about the same height as the heating device. In this way Water is supplied as it is vaporized but no head of water can remain above the heating device in the vapor exit pipe.

It will be seen that apparatus in accordance with my invention can be readily and inexpensively constructed and is free from need of at- 45 tention over long intervals, cannot readily get out of order, there is no possibility of explosion or of getting hot water instead of steam or vapor from the pipe leading to the room or building.

I claim: 50

1. In a humidifying apparatus, a smoke-pipe section of a furnace or the like, slots provided in the opposite ends of said section, a vaporizer comprising pipe and fittings received and supported in said slots, and water supply means and 55 for passing water vapor from one end of said vaporizer, and means for automatically supplying compensating water to said vaporizer as the same is converted to water vapor and. delivered in such state, said water supply means having means for maintaining the Water level therein in substantially the same level plane as the vaporizer.

FREDERICK D. POTTER. 

